Bangkok Update

[Guest guest]

Hi all

It is many months since I last posted to this group. At the time I

was 18 months into Graves, the thyroid was under control, but my TED

was giving me spectacular double vision and my stick on lenses were

being gradually increased in power and I recall asking about the

benefits or otherwise of going onto steroids.

And so the story continues.....

With my double vision requiring around 30 degrees + of correction, I

was struggling to maintain any semblance of vision even with a

monster " venetian blind " stick-on lens. Quality of life was not the

best, especially in the Bangkok rush hour, in the dark, trying to

negotiate my car through the traffic and assorted mammals that

occupy the roadway at the same time. But still managing to enjoy

life whilst hoping one day it would end.

In November 2002, it did end (my TED burning, not my life!). That in

itself was a huge relief, there is a burden lifted when you know

there is an end in sight (sic).

With my Thai surgeon, who has been ace at helping me get through

this, admitting that his experience of orbital decompression

(assumed to be the first step in the healing process) was limited, I

flew to the UK for surgery at the Moorfields Eye Hospital a month

ago.

I saw Mr Geoff Rose who is clearly an expert in the field of orbits

and he explained how he would carry out the operation by making a

small incision next to the eye (less daunting than some other

methods I have heard of). He has treated 1000 patients and does

three of these operations a week so is obviously experienced! I

spent about three hours with him and his team. At the end we

mutually agreed that, other than for cosmetic reasons, I did not

need to have decompression (pressure has never been a problem). As

even with bulging eyes and a stick on piece of plastic, I have not

had people vomiting as soon as the look at me (maybe they go away

and do it quietly...), and have even hooked up with a cute

girlfriend in the last few months, I decided that the rest of the

world would just have to live with my slightly surprised look!

So...I then saw Miss who is the squint surgeon and she

proposed loosening muscles in each eye. She said she would leave a

slight misalgnment in place as the muscles would move over the next

two months. Put to sleep, woke up, had a final adjustment in one eye

while I was awake (not unpleasant after the poured cocaine into the

eye for a while - my eye was high baby!), and I could see again!!

After the operation the offset was 12 degrees, but after 2 years of

trying to line up my eyes, my brain was able to resolve this and I

could see normally (it is only obvious when I first awake in the

morning). After one week the offset was down to 8 degrees and now it

is 5; so hopefully it will be virtually zero in a month or so and I

will not need a final correction squint operation. If it never gets

better than it is today, my vision is essentially normal and will

never be a hindrance.

I will have eyelid surgery on one eye in around 3 months; and will

have lasik to make the whole package complete! I have my world of

vision back after 30 months. Feel so good I had to go and buy a new

car to celebrate!!

I know I have been luckier than many on this forum. My thyroid

problems have never been a real issue; but my double vision has been

extreme. And I just wanted to share that there is an end to this

horrible disease. You can get through it, and believe me that the

world looks a fresher and more wonderful place once the problems are

resolved!

For those still suffering, my thoughts are with you.

Hugh